Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

I due by Bros . W . H . Bullock , Geo . Ransford , and E . Em ' bli'ii andln rcmarkmg on the great generosity of these brethren , who had already done so much to further the greets ° ^ ' ' ^ S ° ) Proposed that the appreciation of the fitcthren he expressed in a vote of thanks , the same to be ecordecl in the minutes . This was seconded by Bro . Prinze and carried unanimously . The W . M . and Wardens

l ) r | e | ly acknowledged the thanks of the brethren . No further business offering the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet served in host Brewer's well-known style . After the removal of the doth the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and a very enjoyable evening , intersperssd with some cap ital songs , was spent under the genial presidency 0 f the VV . M . Bro . Kift presided at the piano .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

BIRMINGHAM . Charity Lodge ( No . 1551 ) . —The installation meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , New-street , on Tuesday , the 20 th ult ., when a goodly number of Past Masters and visitors attended , amongst them being Bros . i ? W . Willmore , P . M . 530 ; Thomas Surman , P . M . 74

David Archer , P . M . 74 ; W . J . Whitall , P . M . 4 S 2 ; S . B . Wheway , P . M . 539 ; W . Baker , W . M . 1 G 31 ; J . E . S . Harrison , W . M . 502 ; A . E . Parkes , W . M . 739 ; A . E . Cleaver , W . M . 725 ; James Evans , W . M . 1245 ; E . Pritchard , VV . M . 4 GS ; W . G . Smith , W . M . 473 ; Richard Woods , W . M . 925 ; A . Dewsbury , J . W . 539 ; J . T . Smith , J . D . 4731 Matthew Jones , S . W . 43 ; W . H .

Rollason , SS 7 ; S . J . Collins , 74 ; W . Young , 1031 ; G . M . Stokes , 1431 ; R . A . S . Pres-er , and others . The new Master , John Alfred Dexter , was installed in a most able and impressive manner , and strictly in accordance with Masonic rites and ceremonies , by the retiring VV . M ., Bro . Thomas Rowbotham , _ who had occupied the chair of the lodge for two years in succession . The new Master

signalised his entering into the chair of the lodge by immediately presenting the retiring W . M ., Bro . Thomas Roivbotham , in the name of the Past Masters , Officers , and brethren of the lodge , with a very handsome and useful souvenir in the shape of a massive gold keyless watch , which had engraved on the exterior case the Masonic emblems , the square and compasses , and a most exquisitely

finished monogram . On the inside case was the lollowing inscription : ** Presented to the Worshipful Brother , Thomas Rowbotham , P . M ., P . A . G . D . of C , on his retiring from the chair after two years of office by the Past Masters , Officers , and brethren of the lodge in token of their love and esteem , and in recognition of the great services to the Craft generally rendered by him . September , 1802 . " The

W . M ., in presenting the souvenir , pointed out some of the eminent services which had been rendered by the retiring brother to the lodge , and to the Craft generally , and comp limented him upon having obtained the love , esteem , and hearty good wishes of every brother of the lodge . The recipient , thanked the Past Masters , Officers , and Brethren of the lodge in very feelinir terms , and

spoke of his high apppreciation of the gift , and ejpressed a hope that it would not only be a service but a p leasure in reminding him during his life of the two years nappy association with the lodge , but would be of assistance to him and enable him to perform not only his ordinary duties but his Masonic ones with promptitude and decision . Bro . Edward Mallard , Treas ., in reading his report , also limented

comp the retiring W . M . upon having placed the 1 F '" ' ) etter . pos ' ' financiall y and numerically than it had ever been in since its formation , and pointed out the fact that through the retiring W . M . ' s untiring efforts more money had been , contributed by the brethren of the lodge during his two years of office than had been contributed by TO lod ge before in a like period ever since its foundation , 2 nd this , in addition to the many generous eifts to the

various Chanties , which has been given out of the worshipful brother ' s own pocket . . Alter the proceedings in the lodge , the brethren and the visitors adjourned to the banqueting room , where a suinptous repast was indulged in , and the usual Masonic and other toasts were given and received in the usual hearty « id fraternal manner , the visitors , one and alll , eulogising tne retiring W . M . and the present W . M . for the manner in Mich they had conducted the proceedings of the evening "i both rooms and dispensed the hospitality of the lodge .

BURSLEM . St . Martin ' s Lodge ( No . 98 ) . —The regular monthl y meeting of this lodge was held at the Municipal Bui dings on Thursday , the 15 th ult ., under the presidency S ' ufo . John Mason , VV . M ., supported by Bros . I . Scarratt .

R . i £ , earson ' - - » as J . W . ; W . Garner , I . P . M . ; lr ' hr . V ' Edeewo"h ' P-J R-Dain , P . M ., P . P . t ? ¦ v -l Teas - > T- K - Pedty ' - - P-P . G . S . of W ., SI , ' o , ^ ' - > P-P-6 . S . B ., D . C ; J . Beech t ' ; ' Wilkinson . I . D . ; J . B . Davis , Org .,- W . H ? merv . as LP , I . W H ^ rrf ™ T ., U' TO : : _ ..

, „ h l ' w r & - J- Godwin , P . M ., P . G . S . 6 . ; J . Min i Brn ' , V ' , St ° > Sergt . Kelsall , and others . Visitors : 4 IS 1 \ H ° wson > W - - 45 ' , S . D . iS ; D . Jones , J . W . P P ' J J » Bou S ney > Org . 546 ; J . Stevenson , P . M . 1942 , H 1 VW &\ J' ' Ainsworth , P . M . 4 60 , P . P . J . G . D . j J T & i ( 5 'Cis A' Ncwton ' " - 451 J and others . J Urev n , $ , aving been opened , and the minutes of the VOUS , J rea ( j a |]( j CQnf A tL . || . . .

inifm . f ? F \ - Mason and George White , who were reE- b ) r , Worshipful Master , both ceremonies The rHs n , uch credit u P ° n the officer conducting them . 'ools n h r ar Se was delivered by the S . W ., and the working other '„ ~ sented by the same officer , who , as well as the * scham ? 1 ° ! the lod S e ( from I > G - to the W . M . ) , i » eni ,. F , 'heir duties in a manner that induced

compli-« . y references from the visiting brethren . L . fj A ° f ! tl 0 n by the W . M ., and seconded by the Rev . a ndbaiiV hu £ cworth > Chaplain , to hold a conversazione early ; ^ nder the banner of St . Martin ' s Lodge , No . 9 S ) " Heanl u . ary was carried unanimously , and , after lr > d jte , ' f , Sopd wishes " from the numerous visitors , the ^ ittal ., m d ' and the brethren adjourned to Bro . ""it h » , i u ack L , on Hotel > wnerc substantial refresh-L After ft , bcen Prided , "" loured " loyal and Masonic toasts had been duly < * enUulaiS f lley » Sec- ' P P osed " The Initiates , " and Ul « cu them on becoming Freemasons .

Provincial Meetings.

Bros . F . W . Mason and George White , the initiates , both suitably acknowledged the hearty reception the brethren had given the toast , and promised that it would be their endeavour to live up to the teaching which had been inculcated in the ceremony of their initiation . The Chaplain , liro . Rev . L . C . A . Edgeworth , LL . D ., next proposed " The Visitors , " to all of whom , on behalf of the lodge , lie gave a most hearty welcome . That was in the of

the oldest lod ^ e Province Stafford shire , and the brethren were most anxious at all times to besto v a generous hospitality to all brethren who honoured the lodge with a visit . It was but seldom that the lodge met without having the presence of visitors , and on the present occasion they were exceedingly delighted to receive a fraternal visit from various lodges in the district . The fact that these brethren

were willing to travel from other towns to spend an evening with the brethren of St . Martin's Lodge abundantly proved the kindly relations which existed between them . Several of the brethren of St . Martin ' s had frequently enjoyed the hospitality of other lodges , and the brethren of St . Martin ' s Lodge were that night delighted to return the compliment , and hoped they would repeat the visit on many future occasions .

Bros . J . Stevenson , P . M . 1942 , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Green Ainsworth , P . M . 4 C 0 , P . P . J . G . D . ; J . T . Howson , W . M . 451 ; D . Jones , J . W . 41 S ; J . Boughey , Org . 54 6 ; A . Newton , P . M . 451 ; and I . Heath ( S . C ) , severally replied . The toast of " The W . M . " was proposed by Bro . W . Garner , I . P . M ., in highly complimentary terms , who remarked that the lodge could not fail to prospsr under his able guidance , supported , as he appeared to be , so loyally by the officers and brethren , and he was sure that the brethren

who had been initiated that evening would be an acquisition to the lodge . The toast was most heartily received by the brethren . The W . M ., in responding , thanked Bro . Garner , l . P . M ., for the very highly complimentary remarks he had paid him , also the hearty manner in which the toast had been received by the brethren . Since he ( the W . M . J had been a Freemason he had never failed to receive the greatest sympathy and help from his brethren , both in his own lodge and in all others , where he had been most heartily welcomed as a

visitor . The toast of " The Past Masters " was proposed in complimentary terms by Bro . J . Scarratt , S . W ., and was replied to by Bros . R . Dain and Pierpoint . The toast of " The Chaplain , Bro . Rev . L . C . A . Edgeworth , LL . D ., " was next proposed by Bro . Pilkington .

Bro . Kev . Edgeworth responded , thanking the brethren of the lodge for the kindness he had always received from them . The speeches after refreshment were interspersed with songs , which were ably rendered by Bros . Davis , Scarratt , Emery , White , and other brethren .

CHISLEHURST . ChislehurSt Lodge ( No . 1531 ) . —The regular meeting of this prosperous lodge was held at the Bull ' s Head Hotel on the 24 th ult ., when there were present Bros . J . Marshall , W . M . ; C . A . Dettmer , S . W . ; H . Smith , J . W . ; W . Hobbs , P . M ., Treas . ; E . J . Goodale , P . M ., Sec ; W . J . A . Gleaves , S . D . ; N . Robinson , acting J . D . ; W . Kipps , P . P . G . Org ., D . C , Org . ; G . Procter ,

I . G . j Andrew Muir , Stwd . ; J . Rawles , Tyler ; H . G . Robinson , G . N . Tanner , J . C . Wylde , J . H . Storey , W . J . Kipps , G . Whomes , and W . Tunstall . The visitors were Bros . S . Dobson , 1321 ; C . H . Stone , S . W . 507 ; W . P . Lord , S . W . 216 S ; G . S . Berry , J . D . 1331 ; and A . T . Sims , 129 S . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . H . G . Robinson was raised to the

Sublime Degree in a most commendable manner by Bro . Quicke , l . P . M . The traditional history was excellently rendered by Bro . Nathan Robinson , J . W . 55 , who also exp lained the tracing board , receiving the applause of the brethren . Several letters were read by the Secretary apologising for non-attendance . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a capital cold collation , supplied in his usual excellent

style by Bro . Whomes , the proprietor , after which the W . M . gave the Royal toasts , which were as royally received . In giving the toast of " The Pro G-and M ister , Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " the W . M . remarked they were indeed excellent officers , and did splendid service to the Craft . The toast of " The Prov . Grand Master , Earl Amherst , " was received most heartily , the W . M . remarking upon his

excellent abilities and assiduity in his duties . The toast of "The Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was given in terms of high praise , and received as cordially . In reply , Bro . W . Kipps , P . P . G . Org ., tendered sincere thanks . He said their Deputy Prov . Grand Master was an excellent Mason , who attended many meetings and many lodges . His health was always drunk in a bumper . He

trusted before long they would see him in the Chislehursl Lodge , where he would receive a most hearty welcome . Bro . Ouicke , I . P . M ., next gave the toast ot "The Worshipiul Master , " stating it was the one he had the honour of proposing to the brethren . He was sure the W . M . endeavoured to do his best and showed his sincerity in that which he did . When he left the chair he was sure the brethren would mete out that praise which he deserved .

In reply , th ^ Worshipful Master thanked all for such kind allusions . Me had been connected with the lodge for a great number of years , and was only delighted when all went on so amicably . He was very pleased to vacate the chair to allow Bro . Quicke , l . P . M ., to raise the brother that evening to once more see his excellent working . The Worshipful Master next gave the toast of " The Past Masters " in excellent terms , which was most cordially

received . This was replied to by Bro . Quicke in a few appropriate terms . He was only too delighted to assist all he possibly could , and was glad of the chance whenever they called upon him . He could not allow the occasion to pass without expressing the indebtedness they all owed to Bro .

N . Robinson tor his excellent rendering of the traditional history . Bros . Hollis and Goodale also most suitabl y replied . The toast of " I he Visitors " was given in capital style by the Worshipful Master , and very ably responded to by Bros . Lord , Sims , Dobson , Berry , and Stone . The next toast , "The Officers , " was most deservedly given , the Worshipful Master remarking upon their excellence .

Provincial Meetings.

This was responded to most suitably by the Senior and Junior Wardens The evening was enlivened by some capital songs from Bros . Berry and Tunstall . Bro . W . J . Kipps most ably presided at the piano . The Tyler ' s toast closed a most enjoyable and instructive meeting .

ETRURIA . Josiah Wedgwood Lodge ( No . 2214 ) . — The annual festival of St . John and the installation of VV . M . for the ensuing year in connection with the above lodge took place on Thursday , the 22 nd ult ., at the Lodge Room , Wesleyan School . There was a large attendance of members and visitors from neighbouring lodges . The W . M . elect was Bro . Jas . White , who for a second year

was installed W . M ., the ceremony being ably and impressively performed by Bros . E . B . Jackson , P . G . S . of W ., and R . 1 ooth , P . P . G . Keg . After the ceremony the W . M . invested the following brethren his officers : Bros . L . Taylor , S . W . ; G . L . Birch , J , W . ; R . Tooth , Treas . ; C . E . Hedge , Sec . ; J . H . Kradley , S . D . ; S . Fenton , J . D . ; E . B . lackson , D . C ; VV . H . Mitchell , I . G . ; M . Nuttall , Org . ; C . F . Page and W . H . Jones ,

Stewards ; and S . Johnson , Tyler . Among the brethren present , in addition to the names already given , were Bros . Tunnicliffe , 41 s P . P . G . S . of W . ; S . Bentley . gSP . P . S . G . D . ; J . Stevenson , 1942 P . P . G . S . B . ; E . Penn , VV . M . 6 37 ; E . Furnival , P . P . G . S . B . Cheshire ; W . N . Medlicott , 214 ; J . I " . Howson , W . M . 451 ; W . H . Howson , W . M . 2004 ; J . M . Wood , W . M . 54 G ; J . Mason , W . M . gS ; E . Nail , W . M . 1914 : G . W . Bradford ,

2149 ; R . Burt , S . W . 637 ; K . Williams , J . W . 637 ; E . B . Devereux , W . M . 41 S ; H . Furnival , De Goocle Hoop , Cape Town ; D . Jones , S . W . 41 S ; E . Jones , J . W . 41 S ; E . Alsop , Sec . 637 ; T . H . Bearno , 637 ; G . Rushforth , 41 S ; J . W . Moore , 41 S ; A . B . Jones , 418 ; C . F . Baker , 4 tS ; and the following members of the lodge : Bros . H . S . Till , W . R . Tooth , E . J . Hammersley , J . Blagg , S . Fenton , VV . Hickman , J . Jervis , F .

Ashford , J . Lewis , G . Brindley , T . Shore , W . J . iVleakin , W . H . Hassall , D . Johns , VV . Johnson , A . Poole , W . H . Jones , and others . Tne brethren afterwards adjourned to the Town Hall , Hanley , where a sumptuous banquet was partaken of , the caterer being Mrs . E . Barlow of the Victoria Hotel . The chair was occupied by the VV . M ., who was supported by about 50 brethren .

Alter the loyal toasts had been honoured from the chair , Bro . Taylor submitted the toast of " The Right | Hon . the Earl of Lathom , M . W . Pro Grand Master . " Bro . K . Tooth proposed " The Right Hon . the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , K . W . Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Piesentand Past , " and alluded to the great amount of Charity which was exercised by the Grand Lodge of England ,

Bro . Bircn proposed " Bro . Lieut .-Col . Bindley , Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past . " Bros . Jackson , Tooth , and Tunnicliffe responded . Bro . Jackson said he was very pleased to inform the brethren tnat the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , after many months of illness , had returned from abroad perfectl y recruited . He was so far recovered that he had felt it his

duty to call together the Prov . Grand Lodge , which had now been waiting for several months . Uf course , the brethren all knew the cause of the delay—the lamented death of Colonel Foster Gough , the late Provincial Grand Master , and the absence ot the Deputy Provincial Grand Master . He trusted that no brother would feel aggrieved at not having received Provincial honours before now . When Provincial honours were received they were really

and truly a honour to the lodge to which they were given . Bro . Tooth , in responding , said there were many things said about the distribution of these honours , but his experience was that if a brother would only continue to be an active and working Mason , he would ultimately attain Provincial honours . Bro . Tunnicliffe also replied to the toast , and said if brethren must attain Provincial honours they must work .

He was sorry to say that there were brethren who , when they had passed the chair , ceased to attend lodge as they ought to do . Bro . Jackson next submitted the toast of the evening , ' * The VV . M . for the ensuing year , Bro . Jas . White . " In doing so he said they all knew how well Bro . White had conducted the duties and ceremonies in the past year . The Josiah Wedgwood Lodge was the youngest in the province ,

but it was not the smallest , and by no means the least valuable . The toast was heartily responded to , and the VV . M . suitably replied , assuring the brethren that he should do the work in the ensuing year to the best of his ability , and with all the power he was capable of . The next toast was tnat of "The Visitors , " which was proposed by Bro . Fenton , who said he was pleased to sec

that there were representatives present from most of the neighbouring lodges . They were also honoured with the presence of two brethren from Cheshire lodges and one from the Cape . Bros . Howson , Penn , Furnival , Medicott , Mason , and Howson responded . Bro . Furnival , on behalf of the premier lodge of the colonies , tendered his hearty thanks for his kind reception .

He might say that Masonry in the Cape differed in minor details , yet the Constitution under which they worked was in its major portions the same as in England . The W . M ., in proposing "The Health of the I . P . M ., " paid Bro . Jackson a high compliment for the way he had assisted him during the past year . "The Masonic Charities" was given by Bro . llanimersley . He said the chief art of Masonry was Charity .

It did not puff itself up and make itself known , but Masonry did good by stealth . 1 hsre were no such noble Institutions throughout the length and breadth of the land as the three great Alasonic Charities . Bro . Tunnicliffe , in responding , said Masonry and Charity went together . In what he had done in connection with the ( . London Charities , he believed he was doing

right , despite the rebuffs and sneers which he and Bro . Greatbatch had received . He was satisfied that the Boys ' School was now on a good foundation , and one of the best Institutions of its kind possible . At the last Festival £ 27 , 000 was received , and last year over £ 70 , 000 was received for the Chanties . Staffordshire , he was pleased to say , contributed £ . 4000 .